Q&A:
- Are there apostles today?
- What is the new birth?
- Are women called to preach?
- Is Jesus the Son of God now?
- What is God's stance on homosexuality?
- Should children be baptized?
- Is it biblical for Christians to give tithes?
- Is speaking in other tongues for today?
- When should women cover their heads?
- Is Islam and the Koran, of God?
- Is Rev. Moon and the Divine Principle, of God?
ARE THERE APOSTLES TODAY
According to the scriptures the church is "built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone" (Ephesians 2: 20). Once a foundation is laid there is no need to lay another foundation. Therefore there is no need for any additional apostles. The apostles were men who had a personal encounter with the Lord, and who were all Israelites according to their natural birth and spiritual birth. Never in the Word of God do we see a Gentile in the flesh that was chosen to be an apostle. These men were writers of several of the books of the bible. There is no man today that
has authority to write any scriptures. For any man to take upon himself the title of an apostle is a very questionable title and a show of pride. There are men and women today who do not hesitate to carry the title of an apostle. In revelation we read, "And thou hast tried them which say they are apostles, and are not, and hast found them liars" (Revelation 2: 2). Likewise we read the words of apostle Paul, "For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into the apostles of Christ" (2 Corinthians 11: 13). There is no doubt that some are seeking to transform themselves into an apostle of Christ. In the Word of God the original 12 apostles are recorded and there are others who were called apostles according to the scriptures. Matthias was numbered with the eleven apostles, (Acts 1: 26). "And they gave forth their lots; and the lot fell upon Matthias; and he was numbered with the eleven apostles."---- Paul and Barnabas are called apostles, (Acts 14: 14). "Which when the apostles, Barnabas and Paul, heard of, they rent their clothes, and ran in among the people, crying out."----And the Lord Jesus Christ is called an apostle (Hebrews 3: 1). "Wherefore, holy brethren, partakers of the heavenly calling, consider the Apostle and High Priest of our profession, Christ Jesus." The apostle Paul qualified himself with these words, "Truly the signs of an apostle were wrought among you in all patience, in signs, and wonders, and mighty deeds" (2 Corinthians 12: 12). Any man who claims to have the same authority as the original apostles must be able to write scriptures (which he cannot do), work signs, wonders, and mighty deeds. In the New Jerusalem there will be twelve foundations. "And the wall of the city had twelve foundations, and in them the names of the twelve apostles of the Lamb" (Revelation 21: 14). I can assure you that no man who is reading this page will have his name as one of the apostles in the twelve foundations.
WHAT IS THE NEW BIRTH
The new birth is accomplished when a person is born again of the water and Spirit according to (John 3: 5). This new birth was first recorded on the day of Pentecost when the apostle Peter spoke these words, "Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost" (Acts 2: 38). This new birth is duplicated in (Acts 8: 16-17, Acts 9: 17-18, Acts 10: 44-48, Acts 19: 5-6, and Acts 22: 16. The initial evidence of receiving the Holy Ghost is speaking in other tongues as the Spirit of God gives the utterance. The false prophets have an entirely different method of a so-called plan of salvation.
ARE WOMEN CALLED TO PREACH
There are no scriptures which will justify a woman preaching the gospel. Many have not rightly divided the scriptures in order to justify a woman preaching, but to those who have their understanding opened, women preachers are not appropriate. The apostle Paul emphatically spoke and said, "But I suffer not a woman to teach, nor to usurp authority over the man, but to be in silence" (1 Timothy 2: 12). Likewise Paul said, "Let your women keep silence in the churches: for it is not permitted unto them to speak; but they are commanded to be under obedience, as also saith the law. And if they will learn any thing, let them ask their husbands at home: for it is a shame for women to speak in the church" (1 Corinthians 14: 34-35). Many have tried to pervert these scriptures by saying the women were whispering or talking out loud in the church. But the point is, there are no biblical qualifications given for the appointment of women preachers. Scriptures which have been used out of context are, (Acts 2: 17) "yours sons and your daughters shall prophesy" [prophesying and preaching are two different gifts or administrations]. Another scripture used out of context is (Philippians 4: 3) "help those women which laboured with me in the gospel" [The fact of the matter is every saint of God should be labouring in the gospel. This does not mean preaching the gospel but whatever work a person does for the Lord Jesus Christ is labouring in the gospel]. Another misused scripture is (Galatians 3: 28) "there is neither male or female" [The body of Christ is considered as a SPIRITUAL house or body (1 Peter 2: 5), not a male or female body]. Some try to justify women preachers through Mary the mother of Jesus carrying him in her belly. Although she carried Jesus in her belly, she delivered him from her womb and not from her mouth. Another scripture used out of context is Jesus telling Mary Magdalene, "go tell my brethren that they go into Galilee, and there shall they see me. Some suggest that she carried the first message (sermon). Notice Jesus did not send her into all the world but only to his brethren. The prophet Isaiah spoke loud and clear, "As for my people, children are their oppressors, and women rule over them. O my people, they which lead thee cause thee to err, and destroy the way of thy paths" (Isaiah 3: 12).
